Sudbury's Tanner and Jake Horgan have parted ways with Team John Epping following a loss at the Northern Ontario men's curling provincials. Epping and Dryden's Ian McMillan plan to stay together and seek new teammates. The split could reshape the region's competitive landscape ahead of future Brier qualifications.
The announcement came after Team Epping's defeat to Sandy MacEwan at last month's provincial playdowns in North Bay, where the team failed to advance. Brothers Tanner and Jake Horgan, both from Sudbury, are leaving to pursue other curling opportunities, leaving Epping and McMillan to rebuild.
In a team statement, they said: “Ian and John will now explore options as the team looks ahead, with the focus on building on recent successes and continuing the push to remain in the world’s top 10. Stay-tuned for a new-look Team Epping heading into the 2026/2027 season.”
Epping, originally from Toronto, must recruit at least two curlers eligible for Northern Ontario residency to continue competing for the region's Brier spot. The Horgans previously teamed with Jordan Chandler and Ryan Harnden to win the 2022 Northern Ontario championship in Sudbury but lost to Thunder Bay's Trevor Bonot the following year. That setback led to the merger with Epping and McMillan.
Currently ranked eighth in the World Curling Federation standings and third in Canada behind Matt Dunstone and Brad Jacobs, Team Epping has shown strong potential. The Horgans will also need at least one Northern Ontario-eligible player to enter regional playdowns. This roster shake-up arrives as the team aims to maintain its elite status in a competitive field.